Ochocinco and Fat Albert To Be Cut?

In this week's "Sunday Blitz" column over at the National Football Post, Dan Pompei relayed word he's heard that one or both of the big-name acquisitions the New England Patriots made in the abbreviated offseason receiver Chad Ochocinco and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth could be cut from the team sooner than later. From the article:

"One day before this story came out by my guy Mike Reiss, one NFL executive familiar with the Patriots ways told me he believes one or both of the big name acquisitions will be cut before the season starts. The front office man thinks coach Bill Belichick will use the controversial players to help control and send a message to his locker room." More



I want to call bullshit because I don't get why would Belichick would cut them to make a statement. I would get it if Ochocinco was having a hard time picking up the offense or if Albert is regressing into his fat piece of shit ways. They say that if the cut the only impact it would have little financial impact as Albert is only owed 1.5 million before incentives and that Chad is owed 5 million, which is significantly bigger than Alberts.



I haven't heard much of Albert, and it wouldn't surprise me if he was cut. It seems as if he doesn't practice much. But who the fuck knows, the Patriots are weird about stuff.



In unrelated news, TJ Houshamazoui and Darren Sharper are in camp today through work outs. Sharper wouldn't be a bad option to have if he's somewhat healthy.

Captain's Thoughts on Patriots' Moves

It was an interesting day for Pats fans. Albert Haynesworth in the morning, Chad Ochocinco in the evening. It's one of the most intriguing day in Patriot maneuvers since Randy Moss was traded. And the phrase to repeat over and over is "low risk, high reward."

And there is a high reward. Haynesworth was an All-Pro twice, Ochocinco received that honor 4 times. These are two extremely talented players. One has numerous on the field and off the field problems. The other was stuck in Cincinnati, where they find ways to lose even when talent falls into their laps (see: allowing Palmer to retire), and is perhaps in the twilight of his career.

Albert Haynesworth is a lazy scumbag. There, I said it. He's got a bit less than Randy Moss potential, and puts in even less effort than Moss did with Oakland. Now, if he tries, he can help the Patriots. If he tries, he'll at least be a second DT, to give relief for Wilfork, and sometimes play in a 4-3. And the Pats play more 4-3 than most people realize.

If Haynesworth tries, and still has "it," then things get fun. Wilfork can shift to DE in a 3-4, where he played a significant amount of time last year, and be free to rush upfield, using his power, and surprising speed. A line of Wilfork, Haynesworth, and Warren would present some difficult conundrums for opposing offensive lines. And that would also help out the LBs.

If Haynesworth doesn't try, the Patriots lose a 5th round pick. Would you draft a defensive lineman with his upside, but with his baggage, with a 5th round pick? I would.

Then there's Ochocino, whose problems are not effort related. This is a guy with seven 1,000 yard seasons under his belt. Thought he can't do the deep thing anymore. But the Patriots are ingenious in implementing matchups to allow guys like him to get open, and get the ball. He's not Randy Moss. His longest reception last year went for 42 yards. But he can still produce.

Ochocinco gets a slightly unfair reputation because he tweets and talks. But his effort and dedication have never been in doubt. We all thought it was silly when he kicked PATs for the Bengals in a preseason game against the Pats. But he nailed the kicks, which demonstrates that he'd been practicing them. He was the Bengals' emergency kicker because he put in that little bit of extra effort, not as part of some joke or stunt.

Ochocinco might have to cool down the tweets, or at least edit them. But he already has a tremendous rapport with Belichick. I think Ochocinco will slot in nicely with the Pats, and find himself in a Deion Branch kind of role.

One thing's for certain, and that is uncertainty. Will Haynesworth try? Will Ochocinco give bland press conferences? Suddenly, training camp and preseason games have become more interesting. And that's good. These guys CAN help. I'm pretty sure Ochocinco will help. I have no idea if Haynesworth will.

All I know for certain right now is that perennial Belichick doubter/hater Ron Borges has his doubts, which is typically a good sign.

-The Commodore

Breaking News: Pats Get Albert Haynesworth For a 5th, Bellichick Does It Again

The Patriots traded a 5th round pick for disgruntle DL Albert Haynesworth. Although I don't know where he fits in figuring he is now going to be in a 3-4 defense again, a defense in which Haynesworth loathes.

There could be a couple of things that the Patriots could do, 1. Change back to a 4-3 with Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth in the middle. 2. Move Vince Wilfork to DE and have Haynesworth at DT and have an absurdly left side of the defensive line. 3. Or try Haynesworth out find out he's not in real good shape and stay in a 3-4 and have him be Wilforks back up.

I like the trade for the Patriots a lot because they gave up nothing for a potentially high impact player, low risk, high reward. If Haynesworth has his head on straight and comes in focused and ready to go, the impact that he could have on this team is huge. If he comes in and is a shithead and you have to cut him in a few months, all you lost was a 5th round pick.... Not a big deal.

Either way the Patriots take on another bad seed project